FOR RELEASE     #08-113
May 13, 2008

WHITEHORSE - Minister of Education Patrick Rouble is pleased to announce that Vice-Principal Ryan Sikkes of Vanier Catholic Secondary School is the 2008 recipient of the Distinguished Vice-Principal of the Year Award. This award is presented by the Canadian Association of Principals.

"It is an honour for all of us in Education to have a Yukoner recognized as outstanding by principals across Canada," Rouble said.

Trevor Ratcliff, the school's principal, described Sikkes as "a man full of ideas, who can get the job done. He is very involved in the faith life of our school and is involved in many student activities. Ryan is a great asset to our school. He's willing to learn and try new things for the benefit of students and the school community."

Sikkes was recognized for implementing the Empathy Program, as part of the social responsibility school goal and the substance-free after grad party at the school. That program has carried on successfully for five years.

As a member of the Vanier administrative team, he was recognized for organizing the staff into professional learning communities, including gaining support to have the school week restructured to allow time for teachers to meet in their professional learning groups.

In the Yukon Stikine Regional Science Fair, Sikkes served as an organizer, advisor, performer and delegate for the last five years. In addition to his volunteer time as graduation coordinator, he worked with the school to make contributions to local and international charitable causes. He is also an active member in the Music Ministry for the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Parish, where he also serves as the secretary of the Parish Council and the founding member of the Youth Ministry Committee.

Sikkes also received the Maxwell Cameron Student Teaching Award in 2002 from the University of Victoria.

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